Beverage dispensing valve

ABSTRACT

A beverage dispensing valve may include a downspout assembly having a body having walls with a slot therein, a channel, an upper and a lower opening, with the slot in the channel between the upper and lower openings. The downspout assembly may include a lateral member extending laterally from the downspout assembly and engaging the wall adjacent the slot. A pinch member may be partly enclosed within the lateral member and dimensioned to move partially through the slot. A handle and the pinch member may move the pinch member in and out of the slot. A coil spring may engage the lateral member and the pinch arm urging the pinch arm at least partially through the slot of the body. A flexible insert may be dimensioned to tightly fit against the walls of the channel of the body, the insert having an open top and an open bottom.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation and claims the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/332,051 filed on Jul. 15, 2014, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/421,359 filed onMar. 15, 2012, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/528,846 filed on Aug. 30, 2011 andU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/452,813 filed on Mar. 15,2011, all of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a beverage dispensing valve,and more particularly to a beverage dispensing machine that is capableof dispensing fresh brewed and concentrate tea through flow controlcircuits.

BACKGROUND

Typically, tea dispensers provide for either dispensing of a tea madefrom a combination of a concentrate and diluent, such as water, or freshbrewed tea. Fluid flow circuits are typically provided with pumps formetering the flow of a concentrate and a diluent in a controlled ratioso the tea from the concentrate is not too strong and not too weak.Fresh brewed tea mix dispensers typically provide for a combination ofhot water with either loose tea leaves or tea leaves in a bag, which tealeaves will steep in the water for a period of time, then deliver to theuser.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a hot tea dispensingmachine. The hot tea dispensing machine may have a tea brew basket withan urn situated below. A housing may be provided for supporting the urnand the brew basket above the urn. Flow control circuits may be providedthat deposit hot water above the brew basket and makeup water and aconcentrate directly into the urn. The makeup water and concentrate maybe pressurized and the flow directed from nozzles may direct a stream ofthe concentrate and the makeup water so they intersect within theinterior of the urn, typically above a fluid high level and below anupper rim of the urn.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a multi-stationdispensing unit for dispensing fresh brewed tea or another drink. Atleast one station of the multi-station unit may have an urn adapted toreceive fluids from a nozzle assembly located above the urn and also toreceive strong, hot fresh brewed tea from a brew basket above the urnfor providing the strong, hot fresh brewed tea to the urn. A nozzleassembly may be provided so as to provide both makeup water and aconcentrate, the makeup water for diluting the strong, hot fresh brewedtea from the brew basket and the concentrate being one or more of asweetener and/or a flavor.

Additional embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a teadispensing machine for engaging at least one pressurized concentratesource and a pressurized water source. The tea dispensing machine mayinclude at least one urn having side walls, an urn interior, a floor,and an upper rim, at least one of tea brew basket, a housing having abase and an upper section, the base configured to engage the urn, theupper section configured to engage the tea basket so that the tea basketis over an urn; a hot water fluid circuit comprising a hot water leg,including a flow control valve, with at least one removed end situatedabove a brew basket; a makeup water/concentrate fluid circuit comprisinga makeup water leg, including a flow control valve, with a removed end,the removed end proximate the urn, and also at least one concentrateleg, including a flow control valve, with a removed end, the removed endproximate the urn; wherein the removed ends of the makeup water leg andthe concentrate leg are directed such that a pressurized flow controlledfluid emitted from each simultaneously at least partly converges withinthe urn interior.

Further embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a beveragedispensing valve for dispensing a beverage from a container. Thebeverage dispensing valve may include a downspout assembly having a bodyhaving walls with a slot therein. The downspout assembly may include achannel, an upper opening and a lower opening, with the slot in thechannel between the upper and lower openings. The downspout assembly mayinclude a lateral member typically extending laterally from thedownspout assembly and engaging the wall adjacent the slot. A pinchmember may be at least partly enclosed within the lateral member anddimensioned to move partially through the slot. A handle may engage theremoved end of the lateral member and the pinch member and may move thepinch member in and out of the slot. A coil spring may be provided forengaging the lateral member and the pinch arm urging the pinch arm atleast partially through the slot of the body. A pliable, flexiblesilicon-based, elastomer sleeve or insert or other suitable member maybe dimensioned to tightly fit against the walls of the channel of thebody, the insert having an open top and an open bottom. The pinch membermay be engaged to the wall of the slot, and when the pinch member movesthrough the slot into the interior of the channel of the body, the pinchmember may shut off and closes any fluid flow therethrough. When thepinch member is moved via the handle so that it is at least partiallyout of the slot, fluid may be allowed to flow under the impetus ofgravity between the upper opening of the insert and the lower opening ofthe insert.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a beverage dispensingvalve for engaging a beverage container. The valve may include adownspout assembly having a substantially vertical body and having wallsdefining a generally vertical channel therethrough and having a slot inthe walls, the walls defining an upper opening and a lower opening; thebody with a lateral member extending laterally from the slot. The valvemay include a flexible, resilient sleeve-like insert having a channelwith an upper and lower opening, the insert dimensioned to snugglyengage the walls of the channel, at least adjacent the slot.

The valve may include a pinch member dimensioned to move at least partlythrough the slot and, at least partly into the channel and against theinsert and a handle, adapted to engage the pinch member to move thepinch member between a pinched position wherein the channel of the pinchmember is substantially closed and an open position wherein the channelis at least partially open. The handle may include a generally verticalportion adapted to be grasped by the hand. The vertical portion mayextend generally vertically upward. The valve may include a biasingmember engaging the pinch member and the body to urge the pinch memberto the closed portion. The valve may include including a pin forengaging the handle to the pinch member. The insert may at leastpartially extend between the ends of the channel of the body and theinsert may be adapted to seal fluidly against the walls of the downspoutassembly. The insert may have a handle extending at least partly upwardfrom the walls defining the upper opening. The insert may be comprisedof a silicon-based elastomer.

Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in theart from the following figures, descriptions and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is nowmade to the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a right side perspective view of the exterior of acombination unit with a front panel removed, and a brew basket/urn setat a first of four stations according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts a rear elevational view of a combination unit accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A depicts a rear left side perspective view of a unit with therear and side housing panels removed according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2B depicts a rear top side perspective view of a unit with the rearand side housing panels removed according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2C depicts a bottom front and left side perspective view of acombination unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2D depicts a rear right side perspective view of a combination unitwith the rear housing panels removed and showing the interior of the hotwater tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict perspective views of an urn according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict perspective views of a brew basket (without a teabag) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate in schematic for the urn fluid circuit andthe fresh brew circuit of a combination unit according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front elevational view of a combination unitaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 depicts a block at one of the stations showing the manner inwhich injectors of the block are directed towards one another accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict side elevational and front views of a brewbasket, including some representative dimensions according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts a side elevational view showing a housing with the urnand the injectors positioned above and within the upper rim of the urnaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts a top elevational view showing the injectors directedtowards one another and over an urn according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D illustrate top elevational, frontcross-sectional, front elevational, and side cross-sectional views of anozzle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts a side cross-sectional elevational view of the urnthrough the valve engaged therewith according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 12 depicts a closeup cross-sectional view of a valve for use withan urn for use with a tea dispensing machine, with the pinch memberpinched or closed, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12A depicts a view as in FIG. 12, with the pinch member in an openor flow condition according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12B depicts an exploded view of an urn and valve assembly accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 13 and 14 depict external perspective and side elevational viewsof a valve for use with a tea dispenser according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, embodiments of the present disclosure mayprovide combination unit 10 that may be at any one of a multiple ofstations capable of dispensing at the user's choice, either a freshbrewed tea or a concentrate mix tea prepared from a bag in box (BIB)concentrate and a diluent, such as water. A device according toembodiments of the present disclosure may provide a combination unit inseveral senses of the term. In one instance, having multiple stations,one station may be programmed to provide an urn full of fresh brew teaand a second station, structurally substantially to the first, may beprogrammed to deliver an urn full of concentrate mix tea. Therefore, aunit according to embodiments of the present disclosure may combine in asingle device the capability of providing either a concentrate mixbeverage or a fresh brewed beverage. However, a device according toembodiments of the present disclosure may provide a combination unit inthe sense that a single station out of the multiple stations may combinethe ability to adapt and serve, at the user's control, either a freshbrew or a concentrate mixed beverage urn.

As set forth herein, there may be multiple stations in a dispensingunit. Each station may be plumbed for either or both of a fresh brewedcircuit or a tea concentrate, a makeup water circuit (every station),and a concentrate circuit as set forth in more detail below. Moreover,the concentrate circuit may be one or more of a concentrate tea, asweetener or a flavor for the tea.

Combination unit 10 may include various hardware components, fluid flowcircuits, and electronic controls of the fluid flow circuits that mayengage with the flow control of the fluid flow circuits to provideprecise metered delivery of a diluent, a concentrate or a fresh brewedproduct to the consumer.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate housing 12, typically fabricated from sheetsteel or other suitable material. Housing 12 may provide support for atleast one tea urn 14 and at least one brew basket 16. Attention iscalled to the position and size of the urns 14 and brew baskets 16. Urn14 may be disposed below tea basket 16 to create one dispensing station.Four dispensing stations are illustrated as A-D as seen in FIG. 6. Urn14 may be significantly larger than the brew basket, typically about 3gallons in capacity, and may include opening 31 in the top or lid 31 forreceipt of a strong fresh brewed tea from smaller brew basket 16, whichmay be about 96 ounces in capacity and may be located above the urn.Moreover, there may be four sets of urns and tea baskets (that is tosay, four dispensing stations), though only one is illustrated inFIG. 1. The urns may slide into housing 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1 andtea baskets 16 may slide into rails 20 c as seen in FIG. 1. That is, oneof the functions of housing 12 is to support both tea urn (from below)and a brew basket, so that the brew basket is above the urn.

Housing 12 may comprise base 18 and spaced apart upper housing 20 withupper housing support 22 between the base and the upper housing. Upperhousing 20 may comprise top cover 20 a and front face 20 b. Upperhousing support 22 may include front wall 22 a. Housing 12 may alsoinclude splash plate 24 across the front of base 18, and splash plate 24may be located below dispensing valve assembly 36 of urn 14. Base 18 mayalso be provided with drip tray 26 for spillover and draining. Legs 28,such as the four illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, may be provided on abottom perimeter (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) for supporting the unit on asupport surface.

Turning to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 9, and 10, views of tea urn 14 are illustrated.Tea urn 14 may comprise urn base 32 and urn body 34 having an upperperimeter or rim 14 a. Urn base 32 may have lower perimeter lip 32 athat may be a rubber or soft grommet or border or that is simply thelower perimeter of the side walls and is designed to engage rails 18 bon top surface 18 a of urn body 34 as seen in FIG. 1. This may providelateral positioning of the urns as they lay adjacent aligned one withanother as seen in FIG. 6. Urn body 34 may hold the mixed (ready toserve) beverage and valve assembly 36 may dispense, by gravity, thebeverage contained in the body to a handheld drink container (notshown).

Turning now to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 8A, and 8B, brew basket 16 may comprisebrew basket body 38 for containing tea bag 17 dimensioned to conform tothe interior of brew basket body 38 and for receiving a fluid, such ashot water, as more specifically set forth below. Tea bag 17 may be keptoff the floor of the brew basket by ribs, ridges or standoffs 16 a. Brewbasket 16 may have handle 40 dimensioned for receipt of a hand to graspand manipulate, such as when changing out tea bag 17. Brew basket 16 isalso seen to have upper rim 42, which upper rim is designed to engagerails 20 c of upper housing 20 as seen in FIG. 1 to support the weightof the brew basket as it is suspended over the urn. Extending below base38 a of brew basket body 38 is a pair of legs 44 which, combined withthe dimensions of feed spout 46, may allow the brew basket to sit levelon a horizontal surface. Feed spout 46 is seen to depend below base 38 aand may have small feed opening 48, such as a feed opening ofapproximately 0.082″ diameter, may provide for steeped, hot tea fluidinto urn 14. Feed opening 48 may be engaged with mesh filter 50 toprovide for a clean, filtered steeped fluid passing through feed opening48. As seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, combination unit 10 may include hotwater tank 51 as set forth in more detail below.

A device according to embodiments of the present disclosure may includea number of fluid flow circuits. With reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 5A,and 5B, and these specifications, these circuits will be described. Afirst circuit illustrated schematically in FIG. 5A and in FIGS. 2A and2B may be considered a circuit adapted to direct at least one (andtypically more) flow-controlled fluid directly into the urn. In thefirst circuit, at least one concentrate leg, engaged to a bag in the boxor a “BIB” pressurized source (typically outside the housing), may berepresented by letters C and D, designating either one of teaconcentrate, sweetener or flavor concentrate (or other suitableconcentrate). That is to say, pressurized concentrate source C and D maybe a tea concentrate and flavor concentrate mix use as set forth belowor a tea flavor or sweetener concentrate for use as set forth below, orany other suitable concentrate.

One of the first circuits is illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 2A, and 2B. Thefirst circuit may have at least one concentrate leg (beginning at Cand/or D) and a makeup water leg (see FIG. 5A). Turning to FIG. 5A, withreference to the concentrate leg, concentrate C and/or D may be a bagand box pressurized concentrate known in the art. Here, C and D isdesignated numeral 52, which may be used to designate a bag-in-boxpressurized concentrate source. Line 56 b may carry the concentrate toflow control 58 a, which may provide controlled output downstream flow,even when upstream pressure in line 56 b may vary. These flow controlsare known in the art of bar gun dispensers and typically comprise aspring, sleeve, and piston, etc. Downstream of flow control 58 a, theconcentrate is carried in line 56 b to solenoid 60 a, which iscontrolled by a control circuit as set forth in more detail below, toblock 62 having injector 64 c thereon.

The first circuit (FIG. 5A) may include a water leg comprising,typically, city water. City water 54 is typically pressurized andcarried in line 66 to, optionally, manifold 68. Manifold 68 (see FIG.2A) may have a number of output lines (such as four (one for eachstation)), and one line 70 a will carry pressurized city water to flowcontrol 58 b. Downstream of flow control 58 b is line 70 b, whichcarries water, in a volume controlled flow, to solenoid 60 b. Allsolenoids are normally closed and are controlled by control board 88 andmicroprocessor as set forth in more detail below. When solenoids 60 a/60b are opened, pressurized flow will pass through block 62 to injector 64a/64 c (concentrate) and 64 b (makeup water) for injection into the urn.Injectors 64 a/64 b are directed such that their fluid streams willintersect (converge) in the interior of the urn, typically above a highfluid level F_(LH) (see FIGS. 7 and 9).

Flow controls 58 a/58 b may be adjusted for flow volume in ways known inthe art for the proper ratio or brix between amount of concentrate Cand/or D and amount of makeup water. For example, there may be a 5 to 1ratio between water and a tea concentrate.

Typically, but not necessarily, there may be four first circuits(concentrate and makeup water legs) each similar to that illustrated inFIGS. 5A, 2A, and 2B. They may have the same or different bag in boxsources A/B/C/D, and each may be able to, through manual adjustment offlow controls and the timed circuits from the control board, provide aproper mix ratio of concentrate to makeup water and, if used, steepedfluid, each providing for dispensing into an urn placed adjacent orbelow block 62.

FIG. 5B illustrates a second circuit or fresh brew hot water circuitaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fresh brew hotwater circuit is provided for allowing the option of providing a freshbrew tea rather than a bag in box concentrate tea (flavored orunflavored, sweetened or unsweetened). The fresh brew circuit mayprovide water heated in hot water tank 51 to injector 86 placed aboveeach of the four brew baskets 16. The brew baskets, if the fresh brewcircuit is selected, will contain tea bag 17 (see FIG. 4A) selected forthe appropriate volume of fresh brew tea, a maximum given by the size ofthe urn beneath the brew basket. Hot water tank may include drain 51 bwith stop clip 51 c engaged therewith and plug 51 e at the end.

With reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2D, 5A and 5B, fresh brew hot watercircuit may receive pressurized water 54 through line 74 a (which may ormay not bypass manifold 68—here it is shown bypassing manifold 68).Water may be provided to flow control 76 through line 74 a. Downstreamof flow control 76, line 74 b may take flow controlled water to a hotwater tank fill solenoid 80, then to hot water tank 51 at inlet 51 a forheating as set forth in more detail below. Inlet water tube 51 d (FIG.2D) may release the water near the bottom of the tank and adjacent theheating element 92 as seen in FIG. 2D. Engaged with output line 82 ofthe gravity fed water from hot water tank 51 are solenoids 81 a/81 b/81c/81 d (see FIG. 2B). Downstream of solenoid 81 a, line 82 carriesheated water by gravity feed, to plate 84. Each of the four solenoidscontrolling hot water tank flow to injectors 86 may have line 82downstream to engage solenoids 81 a/81 b/81 c/81 d.

Plate 84 may have injector 86 mounted above the brew basket as seen, forexample, in FIGS. 1 and 2B. Injector 86 may allow hot water to flow,under gravity, to brew basket 16. Solenoid 81 a, in the manner set forthbelow, may allow the controlled flow of gravity-fed hot water, to bereceived in brew basket 16 (which may contain leaf tea or a tea bag) fora controlled amount of time (cycling open normally closed solenoid 81a). Knowing the accurate gravity feed flow rate (given head of tankwater level above injector 86), the control board is programmed toprovide a time cycle to normally closed solenoid 80 to allow it to beopened for a precise period of time, which will allow a precise volumeof hot water delivered to brew basket 16. This controlled volume of hotwater is the steep water (creating a strong tea mix) and will only be afraction of the water provided to the urn. Indeed, unheated “makeupwater” may be provided from the makeup water leg illustrated in FIG. 5Aabove. For example, if 96 oz. of steep water (for creating hot, strongtea in the brew basket) is provided through fresh brew circuitillustrated in FIG. 5B to brew basket 16, makeup water may be, forexample, 3 gallons less the 96 oz. This makeup water is provided throughinjector 64 b by the timed cycling of solenoid 60 b; if the fresh brewcircuit is selected, to provide a total of 3 gallons of fresh brewed teain urn 14 as situated below the brew basket chosen for the fresh brewcircuit.

If the fresh brewed circuit of FIG. 5A is selected, not only is makeupwater at ambient temperature be provided from the water leg of the firstcircuit of FIG. 5A, but a flavor (for the fresh brew) may be provided atbag in box C/D2, for example, a sweetener for the hot brewed tea. Thefirst circuit carrying the bag in box tea concentrate may carry at C/D,instead or in addition a sweetener, in pressurized bag in box form foruse with a fresh brewed circuit. In such a manner, both makeup water,through injector 64 b and flavor through injector 64 a or 64 c may beprovided when a fresh brew circuit is chosen as set forth in more detailbelow and the sweetener option in bag in box form, placed at C/D asillustrated in FIG. 5A.

There may be a plurality of electronic control circuits whosefunctionality is set forth in more detail below. These electroniccontrol circuits are controlled generally from control board 88containing a microprocessor (not shown). First, there is astation/choice control circuit. This control circuit may include themanual input and display boards 41 a/41 b/41 c/41 d (for example, viatouch screen), typically one for each station or a single input anddisplay, which can manually output signals to control board 88. Manualinput and display boards 41 a/41 b/41 c/41 d are typically located justabove the brew baskets/urn combination at that station that it isintended to control. In an alternate embodiment, a single manual inputand display board 41 may be used (see FIG. 1). In the station/choicecontrol circuit, the user may input at a selected one of four stations,make a selection of a fresh brew or concentrate circuit, go to thesecond, go to the third, and finally to the fourth station, choosing ateach station whether or not the beverage choice will be fresh brewed tea(which may be with or without flavor concentrate) or concentrate madetea (bag-in-box). Optionally, the system may have a beverage strengthoption (strong, regular, mild) for beverage strength control.Optionally, also, a beverage volume control may be input (small volume,medium volume, and full urn of beverage volume). This uses less makeupwater for different volumes or stronger/weaker mixes. A microprocessorin control board 88 is programmed in ways known in the art for thecontrol circuit input to receive input from the input and display board41, 41 a/41 b/41 c/41 d and to output selections to the timed solenoidcycles as more specifically set forth herein.

By way of example, station A (leftmost in FIGS. 1-2D) may be selected bythe user and a choice of fresh brew tea may be made. The microprocessorwill respond to a start cycle (start/stop button 59) by opening normallyclosed solenoid 80 for a period of time sufficient to deposit a firstvolume of hot water in the brew basket at station A. The microprocessormay measure a delayed time sufficient for the hot water to steep in thebagged tea in the basket and, typically for at least one of the steepedtea, to drain through feed opening 48 into the urn below.

Following the opening and then closing of solenoid 80 and typicallyfollowing the time delay sufficient for some of the hot water to havesteeped and drained into the urn below, normally closed solenoid 60 bwill open for a period of time sufficient to deposit a second volume ofunheated or “makeup” water into the urn to mix with the first volume ofsteeped water. The first volume of steeped, hot fluid plus the secondvolume of unheated makeup water may substantially equal the desiredbeverage volume.

If chosen via user (input), the optional flavor and/or sweetener circuitmay be opened for a time period sufficient to sweeten or flavor thebeverage volume, such time period to preferably be within the timeperiod that solenoid 60 b (makeup water) is opened—ensuring simultaneousflow of the flavor or sweetener and makeup water and proper mixingthereof.

Turning now back to station A, in the next example, instead of a choiceof fresh brew being made, the user has placed a bag-in-box teaconcentrate at C/D and has input the “concentrate choice” (rather thanfresh brew) mode at station A.

The microprocessor thereafter responds to the start cycle (via userinput) by opening solenoid 60 b for a period of time to deposit a firstflow controlled volume of water through the injector into the urn (notinto the brew basket). This period of time may also be responsive tobeverage volume control (for a strong, regular or mild beveragestrength). Typically, while solenoid 60 b is opened, solenoid 60 a willalso be open for a period of time (usually less) to deliver sufficienttea concentrate to the beverage volume. This period may also beresponsive to either the optional beverage strength or beverage volumecontrol. Additionally, a flavor and/or sweetener circuit may provideflavor and/or sweetener to the urn.

A temperature control circuit operates through the microprocessor andcontrol board 88. Its function is to maintain temperature in hot watertank 51 between a preset high and a preset low temperature limit (forexample, 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit). The temperature control circuitmay include heating element 92, temperature sensor 94 on heat tank 51(see FIG. 2D). Periodic monitoring of sensor (temperature probe) 94input may allow the control board 88 to control current to heatingelement 92.

Flow control as set forth herein is typically adjustable to control theratio of the mix; that is, concentrate to water on the first circuit.However, controlling the ratio of the mix may also be achieved byvarying the solenoid open time periods. For example, if a 5 to 1 mix isrequired, between water and concentrate, a flow control of water at fivetimes the rate of the flow control of a concentrate will achieve such amix, so long as the time period of the solenoids in their open conditionis the same for both the water and the concentrate. On the other hand,if the flow control were adjusted so that the rate of flow of theconcentrate and the water were the same, then to achieve the 5 to 1ratio, the solenoid for the water would be open for five times theperiod of the solenoid opening for the concentrate. Variations betweenthese extremes may be provided. Typically, however, the period of timeis controlled such that the flow of the concentrate is within the timeperiod of the flow of the water. Moreover, as can be seen with FIG. 7,it is seen how the two injectors 64 a/64 b or three injectors 64 a/64b/64 c may be directed toward one another so that the stream of themakeup water and the concentrate(s) mix at a mid-point mp, whichmid-point is typically above the highest level of fluid intended to bedeposited in the urn and below upper rim 14 a of the urn. Thismid-stream mixing is designed to achieve a more thorough co-mingling ofthe two or three fluids as the case may be.

The control board may also be programmed for a water-only circuit. Thatis to say, the water leg may be opened while all the other solenoids areshut down to provide ambient water only through injector 64 b to theurn.

While tea is a beverage that may be fresh brewed, other beverages arealso possible, such as, for example, bagged coffee or loose groundcoffee using a filter and a drip mode. Moreover, there is also, in oneembodiment, a single station wherein the combination is the ability toeither fresh brew, with makeup water and optionally flavor, or toconcentrate mix the dispensed beverage.

A tank fluid level control circuit may be provided to maintain properfluid level in hot water tank 51 (water level above the four outlets andsubstantially covering the heating element). At this point, it is notedthat the four outlets of tank 51 are also above injectors 86, to allowgravity flow of the hot water into the brew basket. Voltage may bemeasured at the control board to water level sensor 90 mounted on topand depending into the hot water tank (FIG. 2D). Microprocessor andcontrol board 88 may be set to detect the presence of fluid or lack offluid (the resistance change affecting voltage). The microprocessor willkeep the water above the water outlets of hot water tank 51 covered andalso substantially covering heating element 92 immersed therein. If thefluid level drops below a minimum water fill, solenoid 80 may be openfor a period of time sufficient to deposit water to just below themaximum fluid level, as detected by the sensors.

There may be three injectors just above the urn, typically above theupper rim. That is to say, while some embodiments use two injectors forinjecting fluid into the urn, three may be provided. For example, thefirst circuit, besides having makeup water leg, may include aconcentrate leg having a flavor (such as lemon or raspberry) and aconcentrate leg having a sweetener as seen in FIG. 5A. In such acircuit, only fresh brewed tea is available, with the makeup water beingprovided as set forth hereinabove, and both a flavor and a sweetenerthrough the second and third injectors—the makeup water, flavor, andsweetener for injecting directly into the urn.

On the other hand, in a first circuit, there may again be three legs,again a makeup water leg, but a second (concentrate) leg being bag inbox tea (leg), and a third (concentrate) injector along with a thirdcircuit having a concentrate sweetener.

In addition, there may be level sensors 96 for indicating the level offluid in urn 14. It may be an optical level sensor or an ultrasoundlevel detector, and positioned over an at least partly open urn. Onesuch level sensor is Part No. QS180PA, 12-30 VDC, available from BannerEngineering, Pennsylvania, an ultrasound level detector. This levelsensor is a “one position” sensor and may be typically engaged to thecontrol circuit and microprocessor. A one position level sensor willcontinuously monitor the level of fluid in the urn and, when it hits apreset low position, will signal an action, such as “re-brew.” This maygenerate solenoid commands as programmed—usually to begin a fresh brewor concentrate cycle.

There may be multi-position sensor and microprocessor combinations,where the sensors monitor the fluid level and the microprocessorsinclude algorithms for certain flow control actions to occur atspecified levels. For example, there may be a detection of a “nocontainer” position, in which the algorithm may generate a “no flow”(also solenoid closed) or “no fluid” position.

A unit according to embodiments of the present disclosure may bemulti-functional in that it may be adapted to brew fresh brewed,concentrate tea or a combination, with all circuits at least providingmakeup water separately in an urn. Makeup water as set forth hereinmeans water added to either a steeped fluid in the hot brew circuit or aconcentrate bag in box tea for a concentrate brew circuit.

When the unit is configured for only fresh brewed tea, then only thefresh brewed circuit and the water leg of the first circuit need beprovided. Optionally, a concentrate leg may also be provided in thefirst circuit to add a flavor and/or sweetener.

If the unit is to be configured as a concentrate beverage only, then nofresh brewed circuit is required and only the first circuit, with atleast a water leg and a concentrate leg for the bag-in-box teaconcentrate, and, optionally, an additional concentrate leg for a flavoror a sweetener, may be provided. Typically, a unit according toembodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to provide bothfresh brewed and concentrate and may have two or more stations asnecessary.

There may be a safety circuit operating with the temperature controlcircuit in which a fluid level drop to below a minimum fluid level onthe tank will automatically shut off energy to the heating element 92.

It may be noted that there is no mixing nozzles or no mixing at all ofwater with any concentrate where such mixing occurs anywhere but in theurn interior or brew basket. That is, the machine has no point withinit, not in the nozzles or upstream of the nozzles, where there areconcentrates (whether tea concentrate or a flavor or a sweetenerconcentrate) and water mixing. Other than non-electrical flow controldevices and the solenoids, there are typically no electrical elements,such as electrical valves or pumps. All mixing is done downstream of themachine, in the urn or above the fluid level in the urn.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate side and front views of a brew basket for usewith a tea dispenser according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. A sloped floor is shown with upstanding elements provided toallow drainage to feed opening 48.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the manner in which block 62, having multipleinjectors thereon, may be positioned, typically above upper rim 14 a ofan urn. It is also seen that removed end 36 a (from which fluid isdispensed) of valve assembly 36 may be recessed both back from frontwall 14 c of the urn and up from the portion of lower lip or perimeter32 a that engages base 18.

If there is a lid or top 31 on the urn, typically the injectors arepositioned above opening 31 a of the lid and having the direction set sothe flow is through the opening in the top of the lid of the urn. It isseen with reference to the FIGURES that, with respect to a principalaxis Pa, which is seen in the view of FIG. 9, to be horizontal andstraight, and in FIG. 10 to split the block bilaterally so that thereare injectors on either side equidistant from the center. It is seen inFIG. 9 that the injectors typically direct the pressurized fluid flowdownward at an angle C with respect to the principal axis.

In FIG. 10, it is seen that the injectors that are on either side of theprincipal axis direct the fluid flow toward the principal axis in theview set forth in FIG. 10. Angles with respect to angle C and angle Bmay be in the range of about 15″ to 70″; angle C (FIG. 9) about 15degrees to 90 degrees (straight down) or any other suitable angle suchthat the 2 or 3 streams are directed at a conveyance point Cp within theurn interior. Preferably, the point is within the interior, below theurn upper rim (for example, about an inch below), but in an alternateembodiment, the nozzles may be directed to a point above urn upper rim14 a. Typically, the nozzle directs the flow toward a convergence pointthat is above F_(LH) and below the rim and within the interior. In analternate embodiment, nozzles 64 a/64 b or 64 a/64 b/64 c are directedto convergence point Cp.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D illustrate further details of nozzle 62according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It may includewalls defining directed channel 65 a, for each of injectors 64 a/64 b/64c, which are directed to a convergence point Cp as set forth herein. Itis also seen to include walls defining engagement port 65 b forengagement with the removed ends of the makeup water legs and the one ortwo concentrate legs as set forth herein.

Dimensions for urn 14 are given and are approximate; the maximumdimension is typically up to about 15 inches or less. FIGS. 11 and 12illustrate urn 14 with upper rim 14 a and floor 14 b. Urn 14 may includevalve 36 typically engaged to the floor thereof.

In FIGS. 11, 12, 12A, 12B, 13, and 14, valve assembly 36 may includedown spout assembly 100, typically projecting generally verticallydownward from floor 14 b of the urn, close to the front side wallthereof. Moreover, it is seen that down spout assembly 100 may includefloor engagement member 102 fluidly sealed to the floor. Body 104extending downward thereof may be coupled to the removed end of floorengagement member 102 with coupling member 106. O-ring or other sealingmeans 108 may be used between the removed end of floor engagement member102 and the upper end of body 104. Threaded engagement may be providedto pull the two members tightly together in fluid sealing relation. Body104 may be vertically situated and may include outer walls 132 and innerwalls 134, collectively, “walls,” defining an inner channel through body104. Additionally, outer walls 132 and inner walls 134 may define slot109 disposed between a near and removed end of the body, and slot 109may be disposed between upper portion 136 and lower portion 138 of achannel defined by body 104. Lateral member 112 having a channel open tothe body may extend laterally or horizontally outward from the body andmay substantially enclose slot 109. Lateral member 112 may be configuredto engage handle 116 in the manner set forth below. Moreover handle 116may be substantially outside of floor spaced apart from the front sidewall of the urn as seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, so as to provide easy accessthereto. Handle 116 may include upstanding member 116 a and cammed pinengaging member 116 b.

Pinch member 110 may include pinch arm 110 a dimensioned to extendtherefrom and adapted to extend at least partially into a channeldefined by body 104. Pinch member 110 may also include slot 110 b forengaging pin 118, the pin extending through to spaced apart portions ofpin engagement member 116 b.

Turning now to FIGS. 12, 12A, and 12B, an additional element of valveassembly 36 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure isillustrated. Insert 120 may be a pliable and flexible elastomer memberdimensioned to couple with down spout assembly 100 and may tightly fitagainst outer walls 132 and inner walls 134 that define the channel.Insert 120 may include handle 122 engaged with body 124 and may haveopen top 140 and open bottom 142. Handle 122 and body 124 may beintegrated and form a flexible fluid tight element. Ring extensions 126may project outward from outer walls 132 of body 124 to resiliently gripinner walls 134 of body 104. Body 124 may include walls defining inlet128 and outlet 130, and a channel therebetween. The walls defining body124 may be dimensioned to couple closely and adjacent to inner walls 134of body 104. Pinch arm 110 a engages the outer walls of body 124 thatlay adjacent slot 110 b. Pin engagement member 116 b may be cammed orconfigured to allow handle 116, in a first position to urge, under theimpetus of coil spring 114 against the insert as seen in FIG. 12. Pincharm 110 a to the pinched position as seen in FIG. 12 or, in a secondposition, retract pin arm 110 a at least partially so as to allow theflow of fluid through the channel of insert 120, as seen in FIG. 12A.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been describedin detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutionsand alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, thescope of the present application is not intended to be limited to theparticular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositionof matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thedisclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developedthat perform substantially the same function or achieve substantiallythe same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may beutilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appendedclaims are intended to include within their scope such processes,machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A valve for engaging a beverage container,the valve comprising: a beverage container base arranged below abeverage container body, wherein the beverage container body has a topcontainer opening; a beverage dispensing spout defining a fluid outlet;a valve body with outer walls and inner walls defining a channel throughthe valve body, the outer walls and the inner walls having a slotbetween an upper portion and a lower portion of the channel; a flexibleelastomer insert dimensioned to tightly fit against the inner wallsdefining the channel, the flexible elastomer insert having an open topextending beyond a top of the valve body and an open bottom extendingbeyond a bottom of the valve body; and one or more ring extensionsproject outward from outer wall of the flexible elastomer insert toresiliently grip the inner walls of the valve body; an insert handleintegrated with the flexible elastomer insert, wherein the flexibleelastomer insert is configured to completely separate from the valvebody, and wherein the flexible elastomer insert is configured to beremoved from the top container opening without remaining attached toanother component of the valve; and a pinch member configured to engagewith the flexible elastomer insert, the pinch member and the flexibleelastomer insert arranged to seal the valve by shutting off and closingany fluid flow through the channel when the pinch member moves into theslot and the flexible elastomer insert is pinched.
 2. The valve of claim1 further comprising: a pinch handle arranged to move the pinch memberin and out of the slot, and wherein as the pinch member moves out of theslot, a fluid flows under the impetus of gravity between the open topand the open bottom of the flexible elastomer insert.
 3. The valve ofclaim 2 further comprising: a pin engagement member that urges the pinchhandle against the flexible elastomer insert when in a first position.4. The valve of claim 3 wherein the pinch handle is urged against theflexible elastomer insert under the impetus of a coil spring.
 5. Thevalve of claim 3 wherein the pin engagement member is cammed.
 6. Thevalve of claim 3, the pinch member further comprising: a slot forengaging a pin, the pin extending through to spaced-apart portions ofthe pin engagement member.
 7. The valve of claim 1 wherein the flexibleelastomer insert is pliable and silicon-based.
 8. The valve of claim 1,wherein the insert handle is engaged with the valve body and extendsabove the top of the valve body.
 9. The valve of claim 1, the pinchmember further comprising: a pinch arm arranged adjacent to the slot.10. The valve of claim 9 wherein when the pinch arm is in a firstposition, the fluid flow through the channel is shut off.
 11. The valveof claim 9 wherein when the pinch arm is in a second position, the pincharm retracts and the fluid flows through the channel.
 12. A valve forengaging a beverage container, the valve comprising: a beveragecontainer base arranged below a beverage container body, wherein thebeverage container body has a top container opening; a beveragedispensing spout defining a fluid outlet; a valve body with wallsdefining a channel through the valve body, the walls having a slotbetween an upper portion and a lower portion of the channel; an inserthandle integrated with a flexible elastomer insert, wherein the flexibleelastomer insert is configured to completely separate from the valvebody, and wherein the flexible elastomer insert is configured to beremoved from the top container opening without remaining attached toanother component of the valve; and one or more ring extensions projectoutward from outer wall of the flexible elastomer insert to resilientlygrip inner walls of the valve body; and a pinch member engaged with theslot and the flexible elastomer insert so that when the pinch membermoves through the slot in an interior of the channel of the valve body,the flexible elastomer insert is pinched to shut off and close any fluidflow through the channel, wherein when the pinch member moves out of theslot, the fluid flows under the impetus of gravity from the upperportion of the channel to the lower portion of the channel.
 13. Thevalve of claim 12 wherein the flexible elastomer insert is dimensionedto tightly fit against the walls defining the channel, and wherein theflexible elastomer insert has an open top extending beyond a top of thevalve body and an open bottom extending beyond a bottom of the valvebody.
 14. The valve of claim 13 further comprising: a pin engagementmember that urges a pinch handle against the flexible elastomer insertwhen in a first position.
 15. The valve of claim 14 wherein the pinchhandle is urged against the flexible elastomer insert under the impetusof a coil spring.
 16. The valve of claim 14, the pinch member furthercomprising: a slot for engaging a pin, the pin extending through tospaced-apart portions of the pin engagement member.
 17. The valve ofclaim 12, the pinch member comprising: a pinch arm arranged adjacent tothe slot.
 18. The valve of claim 17 wherein when the pinch arm is in afirst position, the fluid flow through the channel is shut off.
 19. Thevalve of claim 17 wherein when the pinch arm is in a second position,the pinch arm retracts and the fluid flows through the channel.
 20. Thevalve of claim 12 wherein the pinch member is partially enclosed withina lateral member of a downspout assembly, the lateral member extendinglaterally from the downspout assembly.